Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Located on Park Point at the foot of the Aerial Lift Bridge adjacent to Canal Park, South Pier Inn is Duluth's premier hotel for shipwatching. This 29 unit boutique hotel offers 20 waterfront suites each featuring a whirlpool, fireplace, private balcony and breathtaking views of the Duluth Harbor or Ship Canal. This family-owned property offers the amenities you'd expect in a larger hotel, yet provides the level of service and attention to detail you'd only find in a small, independent establishment. Complimentary continental breakfast and free wireless internet. Awarded "Best Small Hotel in Minnesota" by the Minnesota Lodging Association.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Value
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
Location
701 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802-2401
South Pier Inn
4.8 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in a prime location, South Pier Inn garners consistent praise for its spotless rooms that boast comfort and striking views, often enhanced by balconies and binoculars. Guests appreciate the hotel's inviting atmosphere and the personalized service provided by welcoming staff.
Although opinions on value vary, with some finding it a tad pricey, many feel the thoughtful amenities like local bakery treats justify the cost. Its proximity to the beach and local landmarks makes it a hit for those looking to explore the area.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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My family has been staying at South Pier Inn for roughly a decade. Once you stay here, you can’t stay anywhere else because no other hotel offers what they have to offer.
They have front row access to the most popular attraction in Duluth - The Ariel Lift Bridge - and whether or not you have a room that faces the canal or not, it takes a minute for you to walk down to the pier and you’re there.
Next and probably one of the most important things is you never have to wonder if anything is dirty there. Out of the many, many trips my family has made to Duluth and stayed at the South Pier Inn, not once did we question the cleanliness of our room and the hotel in general. Everything is spotless and if you book a room with one of their whirlpool tubs, they make a duck out of washcloths! Their king rooms also offer a bedroom with dressers and a king sized bed, a pullout couch, a fridge and microwave, lounge chairs in the living room, TV (although you won’t want to use it because your view of the bridge is all you need), and a balcony that over looks the bay or the canal with amazing views of Duluth. Their guest rooms offer similar amenities such as a fridge, microwave, nice bathroom, a queen/king bed, a pullout twin bed, and a balcony that overlooks the parking lot and Park Point. Whether or not you get a room facing the bay or canal, or a room that faces the parking lot, you’ll be content regardless because of how nice the rooms are.
You also have the option to let the hotel staff call you for a wake up call whenever a large ore boat comes in late night. My family has been utilizing this service for as long as we’ve stayed there because of how close you are to the bridge, you gotta see some boats.
Their breakfast is simple and they offer a variety of foods for you to enjoy in their lobby with a beautiful view of the bridge, or for you to bring back and enjoy in your room. They offer a variety of bagels, muffins, yogurt, juices, coffee, fruit, donuts, and more. Side note - they do offer certain drinks and cocktails for guests now too! I will say that their breakfast isn’t as dense as some hotels breakfasts are, but with the many food options in canal park and around the Duluth area, I thank them for that because my family has been able to try many places that are a must when you go to Duluth, such as Grandmas Restaurant and Bar, Little Angie’s Cantina, Fitgers, and so many more!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â If you plan on staying at South Pier Inn, plan ahead because they do tend to book out months in...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great location, clean, quiet, excellent water views, friendly fire pit, bed can be made softer or firming by requesting mattress pad when booking. Nice lite fare breakfast with fresh fruit, and locally bakery items. Friendly staff. Free walking tour a must !
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Wonderful location by Lift Bridge. Room view was beautiful. Staff went above and beyond for us due our stay. The area has many attractions and restaurants within walking distance. The room itself was well kept and had great amenities , such as binoculars for better viewing Lake Superior
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Friends recommended South Pier Inn as the place to stay in Duluth. We’re glad they did! It’s the perfect location for watching the Aerial Lift Bridge rise when a freighter comes through, for visiting the nearby attractions and walking ( or biking) the Lake Walk. Great views of the bridge. We had a very spacious room (701). Loved the stylish, modern decor; the room was light and bright. They think of everything including cushions ( stored in a container on your patio) to put in the chairs. The receptionist texted when our room was ready (we were able to get in 1 1/2 hours before the stated check in time.) Top quality in every detail. It is clear the owners/managers care about the property. We have high standards from years of travel in the US and internationally; South Pier Inn delivered on all fronts - service, cleanliness, and style!
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
just ok room but wayyyyyy over priced !!!! hot tub was dirty one cup coffee maker didnt work I would guess a regular coffee would be cheaper breakfast was very minimum , if you like coffee you need to bring a thermos with or make several trip to lobby ask if you room is on the canel or facing west specially during colder day cuz no idea when the ships are coming in till its to late to view it like 650 for 2 for 2 nites not worth it
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Branden R, General Manager at South Pier Inn
Responded Dec 10, 2024
Greetings, Thank you for sharing your review. I am sorry to hear that your room did not meet your expectations. The whirlpools are deep cleaned after each guest, including flushing the jets and thoroughly cleaning all surfaces. We use a single cup coffee maker to offer our guests the most sanitary and flexible in-room option, not afforded by a regular four-cup coffee maker. Of course, we do offer fresh Duluth Coffee Company coffee in our lobby 6:30a-10pm daily. All of our Suites are waterfront units which face either the Lift Bridge or Bay and offer guests views of the passing ship traffic. Only our Balcony Guest Rooms face the neighborhood side of the property, away from the water. Room views, features and amenities are provided on our website, and our Guest Services staff is available by phone to answer any specific questions pertaining to our accommodations. Thank you again for sharing your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss details of your stay; please contact me at the property directly. Warmest Regards, Branden R. General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were prepared and stoked for the views and proximity to the bridge and Canal Park. What we could never prepare for is the noise. Every time a vehicle drives over the bridge, which is pretty much constantly, the bridge makes a loud hum from tires going over the grates on the bridge road deck. The bridge also rings a bell before and after going up and down. But the worst is the horns.
Even though modern radios have rendered them pointless, the ships carry on a tradition of greeting the bridge operator with horn blasts as they approach in the canal, and the bridge operator responds accordingly. This isn't some subtle thing, it's loud blasts heard throughout the city. It wouldn't be the worst thing, tourists love it, but it continued well into the night. A ship that came through close to midnight continued this tradition, but thankfully the one that came through at 4:45am didn't.
In addition to the bridge and ship noise, we also had people above us that felt the need to continually stomp and drop things. For hours at a time. Lovely.
As for the property itself, the room we had, right on the canal, was mostly clean and comfortable, with the exception of the pillows, which were horrible. That, and the housekeepers missed a used washcloth hanging in the shower. Nasty. None of the windows opened, so despite having cool weather we had to leave the A/C on all night to keep the room temp comfortable. The breakfast was very sparse, but it was ok. Price gouging is nothing new for places of lodging in Duluth, and Canal Park in particular, but for over $400 for one night, this place didn't live up to the bill.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Branden R, General Manager at South Pier Inn
Responded Jul 19, 2024
Hello Morgman, Thank you for taking the time to share your review of your stay. First, allow me to apologize for the washcloth left in the room. We pride our ourselves first and foremost on providing clean and comfortable accommodations. Even though the bridge and boat horns and light traffic sounds from the bridge can be surprising at first, it is this one-of-a-kind experience that many of our guests appreciate, and make South Pier Inn their vacation destination year after year. After all, where else in the Midwest can you see vessels from all over the world just a stone's throw from your private whirlpool suite? While rates are higher during the summer season, Duluth is a wonderful four-season destination. With vessels traversing the canal from late-March until mid-January each year, there are opportunities to experience this unique setting, Duluth's great arts and culture scene, and the region's vibrant history at lower prices during the shoulder seasons. Thank you again for your time and thoughtful review.
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Enjoyed the location (close to downtown, beach across the street, and located right next to ships passing under the lift bridge!). Driving further down the point to park point beach highly recommended. Jacuzzi in room was nice after a day of walking around and the continental breakfast had what we needed (solid coffee, local granola, and donuts from Johnson’s bakery - we also liked trying the wild rice/cranberry bread!) Comfy bed and spacious rooms. Nearby Vikre and Northern Waters Smokehaus were great for a drink and some eats (or you can order a canned cocktail from the front desk if you don’t wanna cross the bridge). The small garden on site was a nice surprise as well.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here on our very first visit to Duluth, and it’s location was just perfect for experiencing Lake Superior and Duluth. We had a perfect view of the Ariel Lift Bridge from our windows and balcony. Walking to the bridge took only a few minutes, and we enjoyed seeing some of the big ships come through.
Although we didn’t use the hot tub in room, we appreciated some of the thoughtful items in the room: bottled water, binoculars, and sleep masks. :)
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fantastic staff who go out of their way to make your stay a relaxing, fun, interesting and educational one. Excellent location to watch the lift bridge operations and ships transiting through the canal into or out of the harbour. The bed was very comfortable and the pillow gave great support to my neck. The room was spotless and fully equipped with a nice fireplace, whirlpool tub, tv, shower and balcony. The ACU worked well and wasn't too noisy. Also a ceiling fan was available. The blackout curtains did an excellent job of preventing excessive light into the room for those days when I wanted to sleep in. The breakfast was quick and easy with a great variety of food. Plus you could avail yourself of snacks and light drinks at any time during the day or early evening. Nice yard and gardens outside with comfy chairs to watch the sights. A gas firepit was out front for when it got cooler at night. Just a great place to stay. Easy access to restaurants, shops and museums within 5 or 7 minutes walk or drive. A short walk to a great sand beach or walking along either of the canal piers. Thanks!!!!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â The balcony door window could use a good blackout curtain like the big windows have. The venetian...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reserved a room on the lakeside. We ended up with a room on the parking lot side. Would not work with us in exchanging rooms. Hotel was fully booked which was in our error it was their error for not accommodating the request. One of the staff members wasn't real pleasant then went down to ask for a room the second night The staff member was an accommodating said it would cost us another $299 after we already paid $515 for the two nights. I would recommend that you double check before you arrive days before to make sure you have the correct room for your accommodations that you would like.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Branden R, General Manager at South Pier Inn
Responded Sep 21, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your review, and I'm sorry to hear about the misunderstanding regarding your room type. To help eliminate confusion regarding specific views, we intentionally indicate the view each room type has. Each of our suites (Junior or Executive) offer a water view, either Bay (Harbor) View, or Bridge (Aerial Lift Bridge) View, depending on the direction they face. Our corner Panoramic Suites offer a view of both the Bay and Bridge sides of the property. Our Balcony Guest Rooms and Accessible Guest Room accommodations have a neighborhood view, and do not overlook the water. I apologize again for this confusion, and welcome the opportunity to discuss with you directly. Please feel free to contact me at the hotel at your convenience. Warmest Regards, Branden R. General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thank you for your inquiry. South Pier Inn is a 100% no-smoking property, including guest rooms, balconies, common areas, and anywhere within 25 feet of the building.
All Deluxe Suites have windows in the bedroom, that can be opened and have screens. We only have one Deluxe Suite on the second floor, most Deluxe Suites are first floor units.
Thank you for your inquiry.
You must be at least 18 years old, and hold a valid credit or debit card in your name, in order to rent a room. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Regards,
Branden Robinson
General Manager
Blaine,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, as we are a smaller property, we haven't any meeting rooms or conference space.
Kind Regards,
Branden Robinson
General Manager
There are more places to choose from in the Duluth area.
PRICE RANGE
$142 - $216 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
south pier inn on the canal hotel duluth, south pier duluth, south pier inn duluth
LOCATION
United StatesMinnesotaDuluth
NUMBER OF ROOMS
29
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Are there any historical sites close to South Pier Inn?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate (3.2 miles), Clayton, Jackson, Mcghie Memorial (0.8 miles), and Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial (0.8 miles).
